Have hollow core interior door, top set of hinges are very tight, binding as the door closes. Both hinges are recessed back into the door and frame the depth of the hinges.

These are old, almost antique hinges. One person suggested bending the hinges. Not sure about this, do not want to damage the hinges.

Side to side clearance of door to frame is good.

Top of door clearance to the frame s less at side of of door on the hinged side

Any ideas?

thanks

 

Add thin shims between the hinge and jamb and between the hinge and door.

 

Pieces of thin cardboard work well. You can even do it without removing the hinge. Cut slots in the cardboard where the screws are located. Back the screws out partially, pry the hinge away from the wood with a putty knife enough to slide the card board behind. (You may have to also loosen the screws slightly on the hinge below if there are 3 hinges.) If the hinges are painted over, cut the paint along the edge of the hinge with a utility knife first to prevent splintering the wood.

If not enough, repeat the process with additional pieces of cardboard. Thick paper or card stock may be enough, too.

 

Well number one, I doubt it's the hinge that's binding. And im not sure we have enough info to help.

We would need to know or see the gap around all 3 sides of the door.

If the clearance between the door and hinge side jamb is too tight on top, that would mean the mortise is too deep on one or both sides and you would add a shim as mentioned. You can also shim half of the hinge to roll the hinge pin one way or the other. In your case you would shim the outer half of the leaf (the half closest to hinge pin) on the top hinge to roll the door hinge toward the latch side. On the bottom you would do the opposite. Shimming the inside half of the leaf (the half closest to the door stop) on the bottom hinge will roll the hinge pin slightly toward the hinge side.

The combination of these two slight adjustments will increase the gap between the door and the jamb on the hinge side and I'm assuming that will help the binding. I'm guessing it is binding because there is no clearance between the hinges when the door is closed due to there being an insufficient gap there.

This will not correct the gap above the door, that is apparently resulting from the door being out of level and out of plumb. Or the floor is out of level, and the door and framing is just moving as the floor sags.

 

Thanks for the advice
With the help of EZ shims and some longer/thicker screws I'm about done with the last of four doors. Only 18 or so to go

Again, thanks.

 

Good deal.